July 28, 2014

Imperial Moth

Unbeknownst to me or, I daresay, this Eacles imperialishanging out on my house, last week was National Moth Week. This female (I think) imperial moth clung to the window screen for approximately 36 hours mid-week, then disappeared as suddenly as she appeared. Only after she left did I hear a story on Science Friday about National Moth Week.

I learned this particular moth does not feed. It takes in all its nutritional needs as a catepillar. Its sole purpose as a moth is to mate and breed. To aid with that goal, the males have bushy, fuzzy antennae with which they detect the pheromones of the females. They can detect the females from up to two miles away!